PM Modi to launch ‘UDAN’ scheme today to boost regional connectivity with low-cost flights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to launch the ‘UDAN’ scheme on Thursday which is aimed at boosting regional connectivity with low-cost flights.

He will flag off a flight on Shimla-Delhi sector as also on Kadapa-Hyderabad and the Nanded-Hyderabad sectors, the PMO said on Wednesday.

Modi will launch the scheme from Shimla. UDAN (‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’) is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism, the PMO said in a tweet.

“To make air travel accessible to citizens in regionally important areas, the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik-RCS (regional connectivity scheme) was launched in October, 2016,” it added.

The UDAN Scheme is a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) which was released on June 15, 2016.

Tomorrow PM @narendramodi will flag off the first UDAN flight under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, on Shimla-Delhi sector.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 26, 2017

“Airfare for a 1-hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for 30-minute journey on a helicopter would be capped at Rs. 2,500,” the PMO said.

“This with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths and flight duration,” it said.

While in Shimla, the Prime Minister also address a rally at the historic Ridge Maidan.

This will be his first visit to Shimla after becoming the Prime Minister. He had visited the capital of Himachal Pradesh last in 2003 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

However, it is his second visit to the state. Last year, he had addressed a BJP rally at Mandi. Modi was in-charge of organisational affairs of Himachal Pradesh for eight years till 2002.